A degree of shock nonetheless lingers across the league concerning the Memphis Grizzlies’ shocking determination to maneuver on from Taylor Jenkins.
With two weeks left into the 2024-25 common season and them being in competition scenario as the present No. 5 seed (44-31) within the Western Convention, the Memphis Grizzlies franchise pulled a stunner, dismissing their longtime head coach in his place from final week.
Taylor Jenkins established his case because the winningest coach within the Grizzlies’ document books, main Memphis to 6 seasons, three playoff appearances, and a franchise-record 56 wins in 2021-22.
After all of the journey they’d with Jenkins by the years, Ja Morant and the remainder of the Grizzlies stars couldn’t disguise their astonishment concerning the 40-year-old’s departure.
Memphis high govt Zach Kleiman spoke out concerning the transfer with utmost perception that this serves the most effective curiosity of the franchise long-term.
Within the wake of Jenkins’ exit, Tuomas Iisalo ascended as the brand new play-caller answerable for main the Grizzlies for the rest of the season.
Serving on an interim foundation, the Finnish mentor is undoubtedly dealing with a significant problem of getting Memphis again on observe and be in place to compete because the NBA Playoffs looms.
Iisalo inherits a Grizzlies crew that has been stumbling recently. After making his interim head teaching debut final weekend in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis already misplaced 5 of its final six video games.
They’ve struggled because the All-Star break with an 8-12 card.
Ought to the Grizzlies attain success below his management, there’s a vital probability for Iisalo to get promoted because the crew’s subsequent full-time head coach per Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.
“Grizz personnel, league sources say, spent vital time touring to France final season to guage and finally land Tuomas Iisalo, who was having fun with nice success as the top coach for Paris Basketball below former Timberwolves lead govt David Kahn earlier than his transfer to the NBA,” the 2 league insiders wrote.
“It’s believed that Iisalo could have a shot to succeed Jenkins completely relying on how this sudden alternative to take over goes.”
The person behind the Grizzlies’ offense, Iisalo now has full management of how your entire squad will function on a nightly foundation. He’s a beginner within the NBA teaching area as he spent most of his younger teaching profession in Europe, and he has a golden break in entrance of him to lastly current himself as an elite basketball thoughts.
With star energy at his aspect with Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane in addition to a deep supporting forged headlined by Santi Aldama, Iisalo has some instruments to work with on the Grizzlies. He has already spoken out to specific how a lot he likes Zach Edey.
Memphis has robust bouts forward of them within the last eight video games of their common season, dealing with eight contending groups through Tankathon.
